Tag: Paul

Filled with the Spirit

Paul’s solution to the question of Christian obedience and holiness is not to impose laws and rituals (legalism), nor to say that grace means we can do what we please. Instead, he sees our true hope being the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:2-23, he says that the result or fruit of receiving the Holy Spirit… Continue reading Filled with the Spirit

Misrepresentation

In Galatians 2, Paul talks about the circumcision party who had previously caused trouble in Antioch as those who “came from James.” The implication there may have been that James himself was endorsing their position.  However, that isn’t necessarily the case.  In 5:11, Paul is himself  compelled, to deny and refute that he was a… Continue reading Misrepresentation

The allegory of Sarah and Hagar

Remember that the argument being made by the agitators in Galatia was in effect that history and God’s Word was on their side. God’s covenant was with the Jewish people and it centred on two things, ancestry through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Torah keeping.  Paul has been systematically pulling apart this claim. A look… Continue reading The allegory of Sarah and Hagar

When the way forward is the way back

We got off the aeroplane at Beijing airport and jumped into a taxi, giving the driver the details of our hotel in the centre of the city.  After over half hour of driving, we assumed that we must be getting close to our destination. Except my mum looked out of the window and said “We’ve… Continue reading When the way forward is the way back

Redemption

One of the great events of the Old Testament, in fact perhaps the greatest event in the history of God’s people was their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.  About 400 years earlier, a man called Joseph had been sold by his brothers as a slave to passing traders. They in turn sold him on to… Continue reading Redemption

Assurance and Security

One of the blessings that we become heirs of in Christ is assurance.  Assurance is the certain confidence that you have been forgiven of your sin and have eternal life.  Combine that with security and we have the idea that a believer can know both that their sins are forgiven and that they will never… Continue reading Assurance and Security

Abraham’s heirs

Galatians 3 finishes by describing the church, Jews and Gentiles alike as “Abraham’s heirs”. This is an important principle that we find in Romans 9-11 as well.  The Jews saw themselves as God’s chosen people because they could trace their ethnic lineage back to Abraham, the recipient of the Covenant.  They saw themselves as heirs… Continue reading Abraham’s heirs

What does the Law do?

Paul insists that the Law is unable to make us right with God. He also insists that the original promises to God’s people were about faith and not Law.  Does this mean that Law and Faith or Law and Grace are in competition? A look at the text Read Galatians 3:23-29 So, does the Law… Continue reading What does the Law do?